BEIJING - Chinese Vice-President Xi Jinping on Monday praised the ties between China and the European Union (EU) as "healthy" and "beneficial" when leaders of political parties gathered in Beijing for a meeting.

Chinese Vice-President Xi Jinping (right) talks with Martin Schulz, Chair of the Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament, during a meeting with delegates from political parties in Europe for the 2nd China-Europe High-level Political Parties Forum in Beijing, May 17, 2011. [Photo/Xinhua]

Progress has been continuously made since China and the EU established diplomatic ties more than 30 years ago, and China-EU relations keep developing in a healthy way, Xi said as he met with delegates from over 30 political parties of Europe. The party leaders are in China to attend a three-day China-Europe High-level Political Parties Forum.

The growing exchanges between China and the EU in politics, trade, technology and education, among others, have proven to be substantially beneficial for both the Chinese and Europeans, said Xi, who is also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee.

"If the two sides can look on China-EU relations from a long-term and strategic perspective, respect each other's core interests and major concerns and keep stepping up strategic communication and coordination, the cooperation between China and the EU is sure to make more progress," he added.

As an important part of the bilateral ties, the exchange between political parties from China and the EU will help to push forward the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two sides, said the Vice President.

The theme for this year's Political Parties Forum, the second of its kind, is "China's 12th Five-Year Plan and Europe 2020 Strategy: New Opportunities and Prospects for China-Europe Cooperation." The forum draws nearly 100 delegates from over 30 political parties in Europe.

On Monday, Liu Qi, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, held a reception for the delegates. And Wang Jiarui, Chief of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, met with Martin Schulz, chair of the Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament, as well as other delegates.